India AI Services News: Peter Navarro, senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, has made a scathing attack on India. He raised the question why American citizens should pay for AI services in India. Speaking to Steve Bannon on ‘Real America Voice’, Navarro said that services like ChatGPT run on American electricity, which benefits countries like India and China.
Navarro described India as the country that imposes the highest tariffs in the world. He labeled Russian oil imports as ‘blood money’ which fuels the Ukraine war. In fact, the Trump administration has imposed 50 percent tariff on India on oil purchases from Russia, due to which the trade agreement is stuck. At present, Navarro’s statement about India’s AI may affect the strategic partnership between the two countries. At the same time, India justifies the purchase of Russian oil for energy security.
Navarro’s controversial comments on India
This statement of Trump advisor Peter Navarro has come at a time when the Trump administration has imposed a 50 percent tariff on India for continuing to buy Russian oil. Talks on a trade agreement between the two countries are stalled. India has been buying oil from Russia at a discount, increasing from 1.7 per cent in 2019-20 to 35 per cent in 2024-25. India calls it a matter of energy security and is not breaking any international sanctions.
Navarro has been a supporter of strict tariff policy since Trump’s first term. He has played a key role in imposing tariffs on China. His past comments on India have also been controversial, such as his use of the ‘Brahmin’ analogy in 2025, which was strongly condemned by India. At present, India has not given any reaction regarding this statement.